Game Week 5 Predictions: Arsenal's Arteta to hurt his master again?

This is Arsenal’s third home game of the season, and it’s unarguably the biggest. This is a sterner test, far above the 5-0 demolition of Leeds United

This is the latest instalment of the master-and-apprentice battle; the latter has won the last two on this ground. Will the master step up this time? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Arsenal vs Manchester City

Emirates Stadium

4:30pm

This is Arsenal’s third home game of the season, and it’s unarguably the biggest. This is a sterner test, far above the 5-0 demolition of Leeds United and the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

There’s this air of confidence that seems to have usurped North London; Arsenal fans are convinced that they’re in a better place than Manchester City, and you can’t blame them. Arsenal finished above Manchester City last season and currently sits above the former champions on the log.

Except for a wild goal swing, the Cityzens will still end the game week behind the Gunners, but they can go level on points, which would be Pep Guardiola’s message to his players when they step out onto the Emirates Stadium pitch on Sunday.

Guardiola himself is confident after his team beat Napoli in the Champions League on Thursday; it was a win that meant so much to the Cityzens, as it means they start the competition on the front foot, unlike how it panned out last season, where they needed playoffs to get into the final 16, which they lost.

This fixture won’t have lots of bearing on the title race as it’s coming in game week five, but it can strengthen Liverpool’s position at the top of the log. The champions are six points above Arsenal after beating Everton on Saturday and nine above Guardiola’s side; neither side can afford the gap.

Manchester City beat Manchester United last weekend; it was an impressive performance that took lots of discipline and clinical responses to opportunities that arose during the game. The trip to Arsenal would be a different ball game, and they must be prepared.

Arsenal beat Manchester City 5-1 last season in this fixture; it was the second time the Gunners would beat Pep Guardiola in the league since Mikel Arteta took over. Guardiola hasn’t beaten Arteta in any of their last four games; the Spaniard has never gone five without a win against any manager.

Erling Haaland and Gabriel Magalhães would be a key battle. The rich history between the two would once again be tested on Sunday, and we expect the spotlight to be on the two. William Saliba is expected to return in place of Christian Mosquera, while Bukayo Saka is expected to feature too.

Manchester City will trust Jeremy Doku to try to exploit Ricardo Calafiori’s forays, while Arsenal could hurt City’s weaknesses on the left with Ebere Eze. The midfield battle would be key with stars like Rodri, Martin Zubimendi, Tijjani Reijnders and Declan Rice in the mix. This would be some game.

Verdict: Both teams must score.